Seasonal Influenza DNA Vaccine Prime With Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV) Boost Compared to TIV Alone

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 70 yrs
• Available for clinical follow-up through Study Week 60
• Able and willing to complete the informed consent process
• Willing to donate blood for sample storage to be used for future research
• Physical exam and lab results without clinically significant findings and a Body Mass Index (BMI) <40 within the 70 days prior to enrollment
• Has received the 2011/2012 licensed influenza vaccine 8 or more weeks prior to enrollment and agrees to receive the 2012/2013 TIV as part of study participation

Laboratory Criteria within 70 days prior to enrollment:

• Hemoglobin within institutional normal limits
• White blood cells either within institutional normal range or site physician approves as consistent with healthy adult status
• Platelets = 125,000 - 500,000/mm3
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Serum creatinine ≤ 1 x ULN based on site institutional normal range

Criteria applicable to women of childbearing potential:

• Negative pregnancy test (urine or serum) on day of enrollment
• Agree to use an effective means of birth control from 21 days prior to enrollment through 12 weeks after the first study vaccination

Exclusion Criteria:

Women Specific:

• Breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant during the 12 weeks after enrollment in the study

Subject has received any of the following substances:

• More than 10 days of systemic immunosuppressive medications or cytotoxic medications within the 12 weeks prior to enrollment or any within the 14 days prior to enrollment
• Blood products within 16 weeks prior to enrollment
• Immunoglobulin within 8 weeks prior to enrollment
• Investigational research agents within 28 days (4 weeks) prior to enrollment
• Allergy treatment with antigen injections, unless on maintenance schedule and allergy shots could be staggered with the study vaccinations, within 14 days (2 weeks) prior to enrollment
• Current anti-tuberculosis prophylaxis or therapy

History of any of the following clinically significant conditions:

• Contraindication to receiving an FDA-approved seasonal influenza vaccination
• Serious reactions to vaccines that preclude receipt of study vaccinations, as determined by the site investigator
• Hereditary angioedema, acquired angioedema, or idiopathic forms of angioedema
• Asthma that is severe, unstable or required emergent care, urgent care, hospitalization or intubation during the previous two years or that is expected to require the use of oral, intravenous or high dose inhaled corticosteroids
• Diabetes mellitus type I
• Thyroid disease that is not well-controlled
• Generalized idiopathic urticaria within the 1 year prior to enrollment
• Hypertension that is not well controlled
• Bleeding disorder diagnosed by a doctor (e.g. factor deficiency, coagulopathy, or platelet disorder requiring special precautions), or significant bruising or bleeding difficulties with intramuscular (IM) injections or blood draws, or use of blood thinners such as Coumadin or Plavix®.
• Malignancy that is active or treated malignancy for which there is not reasonable assurance of sustained cure or malignancy that is likely to recur during the period of the study
• Seizure disorder other than: 1) febrile seizures, 2) seizures secondary to alcohol withdrawal more than 3 years ago, or 3) seizures for which no treatment has been required within the 3 years prior to enrollment
• Asplenia, functional asplenia or any condition resulting in the absence or removal of the spleen
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• Psychiatric condition that precludes compliance with the protocol; past or present psychoses; disorder requiring lithium; or within 5 years prior to enrollment, a history of suicide plan or attempt
• Any medical, psychiatric, or other condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, is a contraindication to protocol participation or impairs ability to give informed consent